Featured Links

Member Locator

Fuel calculator

NBM Fact Sheet

New National Poll Reveals: Whether Dressing Up or Stripping Down, Most Americans Plan to Grill this Summer

New National Poll Reveals: Whether Dressing Up or Stripping Down, MostAmericans Plan to Grill this Summer

Winter has melted away and Americans are ready to fire up the grill and get in the summer-state-of-mind! According to results from the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association’s (HPBA) 2010 National Barbecue Month Poll:

Fired Up: Six-out-of-ten Americans say they can’t wait to fire up the grill and shake off the winterblues. And, nearly 90 percent of Americans say they plan to enjoy grilled food in their own backyard this summer.

Dress up or Strip down?: When it comes to enjoying a meal on the grill, 65 percent of Americans like to “dress it up” with a sauce, marinade or seasoning, while 21 percent prefer to “strip it down” and enjoy it au natural.

Grill-side Manner: When asked about grilling style, 29 percent of adults say “it’s all about themeat,” while 24 percent say they like it “all natural,” followed by “spicy or saucy” (19 percent),adventurous (16 percent) and timid (6 percent).

All About the Buns: Seventy percent of Americans grab a traditional bun to complete their grilled sandwich. Four percent say they prefer a pita, another 4 percent say a tortilla wrap.

Top Toppings. For hamburgers and other grilled meat/vegetable sandwiches:

74 percent of Americans use lettuce, onion and/or tomato,

66 percent of adults use ketchup,

62 reach for the mustard bottle,

26 percent add on other meat like bacon or chili, and

Two-thirds of Americans say, “add cheese, please!”

Benefits Abound: Most Americans agree, the top benefits of grilling include more flavorful food (81 percent), time spent out of the house (80 percent), cost savings compared to eating out (76 percent), easier clean up (67 percent), healthier (64 percent) and less cooking time (53 percent).

Hot Spots: During the warmer months, 74 percent of adults say they anticipate enjoying grilled food at a friend or relative’s house, 42 percent while picnicking, 39 percent while camping and 20 percent while tailgating.

About the Poll: The findings are taken from a survey of 1,000 people, conducted by the Polling Company™, Inc. from April 1-5, 2010. The margin of error is +/- 3.1 percentage points at the 95% confidence level. For more information, visit www.hpba.org